For thousands of years, only humans and horses treaded the mountains of Southwest China as they followed an ancient pathway through the Chinese hinterlands and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Along the unpaved and rugged pathway that was formed, commodities like tea, salt and sugar flowed into Tibet. Meanwhile, horses, cows, furs, musk and other local products made their way to the outside world. The road was called the tea-horse ancient road, and it stretched across more than 4,000 kilometers, mainly through Southwest China’s Sichuan and Yunnan provinces and the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
The ancient commercial passage first appeared during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It also experienced the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties - or a period of more than 1,200 years. The road promoted exchanges in culture and religion, and saw ethnic migration that closely resembled what was experienced on the well-known Silk Road.
Along the ancient road lived more than 20 minorities. Concentrations of beautiful and mysterious natural landscapes and traditional cultures developed in various sites, including Dali old city, Lijiang old city, Shangrila, Yarlung Zangbo River Grand Canyon, Potala Palace. The road features temples, rock paintings, post houses, ancient bridges and plank roads. It is also home to many national minorities and their dances and folk customs.
Two major routes
Roughly speak- ing, there were two main routes:
Route One: Begins in Ya’an in Sichuan Province to Qamdo via Luding, Kangd- ing, Litang and Batang before mer- ging with Route One into Lhasa.
Route Two: Begins in Xishuangbanna and Simao, home of Pu’er tea (via Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian, Benzilan and Deqeng) in Yunnan Province to Zugong, Bamda, Rewoqe, Zayu or Qamdo, Lholung, Benba, Jiali, Gongbogyangda, Lhasa, Gyangze and Yadong in Tibet, before continuing into Myanmar, Nepal and India.
Tens of thousands of traveling horses and yaks created a definite pathway with their hooves on the once-indiscernible road. Today, although even such traces of the ancient road are fading away, its cultural and historic values remain.
The Eternal Road
No matter what is happening in the world, three types of things in the tea-horse ancient road will continue to exist: the beautiful and rustic nature scene, inviolable religion and simple Tibetan people.
This ancient road features the imposing scenery and a soul-stirring quiet. Some- times, things seem static and the sur- rounding mountains stand silent. There is a kind of beauty in the desolation that may easily lead people to believe they are experienced a prehistoric place when they visit.
The distant mountains reveal strong and exquisite ridges while rain and snow melt together, rushing down from the mountains and rapidly gathering before flowing into innumerable rivers.
分页标题#e#If the mountains could form a skeleton of Tibet, the resulting rivers and streams might form their vessels, which pour vigor and vitality into the plateau.
Besides mountain and rivers, there are also many peculiar stones, incomparably marvelous clouds, as well as unusual light illuminating the sky as one travels the road.
Walking the tea-horse ancient road might allow one to see reverent pilgrims heading to holy city Lhasa. They walk slowly along the rugged road, some of them even crawling, butting heads as they move toward their sacred destination. Their arms and legs fester - foreheads dripping blood - but with eyes still full of light, granted comfort from their beliefs.
When you walk the road of Tibet in a cloudless dawn or under the glow of a sunset, the sights can stir the senses and seem an awakening experience.
Caravans on the Way
From ancient times, mabang (caravans) have been the main vehicles used for transportation.
Year after year, thousands of cara- vans traveled the rough road while the hoof beats and the sounds of clear bells broke the tranquility of the canyon. The road opened a vital pathway for economics and trade with the outside world.
In World War II, the tea-horse ancient road became the only transportation line for the southwest of China. Caravans trans- ported large quantities of international as- sistance from India, which greatly supported China’s Sino-Japanese War.
After the accomplishment of the Dian- Zang Highway and the Chengdu-Lhasa Highway, automobiles replaced the cara- vans, and the tea-horse ancient road be- came a part of history. But in the outlying mountainous area of Yunnan Province, caravans remain the main source of trans- portation today.
The tea-horse ancient road - from ancient times through its present history - contributes greatly to the national spirit of the Chinese people. It represents continuity as an eternal monument in the history of China.
Culture Treaded by Feet
The tea- horse ancient road is hard and dange- rous, yet the natural land- scape along it stimulates people’s un- derlying courage, strength and endurance while helping to provide meaning to life.
In addition, Tibetan Buddhism has provided widespread doctrine on the tea-horse ancient road, further promoting economic dialogue, cultural exchanges, along with unity and friendship between the nationalities of Naxi, Bai, Tibetan and other ethnic groups.
Some reverent artists have drawn and carved massive images of Buddha, Bodhisattva, eminent monks, God animals, conch, and other heavenly bodies on rocks along the roadside. These have increased a kind of sacred dignity for the ancient roadway.
With thousands of years of history behind it, the tea-horse ancient road - like a big corridor connecting various nationa- lities - has developed the local economy, stimulated the commodity markets in co- mmunities, and promoted the develop- ment of border trade as well. It has pro- moted agriculture and the raising of animals while at the same time providing a source of enjoyment for local art, religion, culture, and ideologies. It has helped many in the nation obtain unprecedented prosperity and development.
分页标题#e#Important Towns along the Tea- horse Ancient Road
Pu'er: hometown of Pu’er tea with a long history.
Xiaguan (Dali): a main processing and collection center for tea.
Jianchuan: bazaar on the tea and horse ancient road.
Shaxi Sideng: the only surviving bazaar.
Lijiang: the most famous distribution center on the road.
Deqin: The last road station within the boundaries of Yunnan.
(编辑:何佩琦)
上一篇: 诗歌:记如果你忘了我
下一篇: 世界上最美丽英文26
Shot themselves in the foot?
国内英语资讯:More Chinese airlines allow inflight mobile phone use, wifi
微信回应留存用户聊天记录 纯属误解!
国际英语资讯:2 Japanese opposition parties fail to form alliance, fresh affiliation moves emerge
国际英语资讯:News Analysis: Make or break for NAFTA at next weeks talks in Canada
国际英语资讯:City of London eager to be involved in Belt and Road: lord mayor
英国女王吐槽王冠太重:别低头,脖子会断
H&M用一个职位就想翻篇种族歧视!这可行吗?
国际英语资讯:President Trump signs bill renewing controversial foreign surveillance program
国内英语资讯:Chinas national economic data veracity unaffected by regional statistics: official
体坛英语资讯:Confident Sharapova into second round in Melbourne
体坛英语资讯:Rockets star Harden expected to return in game against Timberwolves
学会这些习语,来一场说走就走的旅行
库克回应苹果降速门:下次系统更新允许禁用iPhone降频
国际英语资讯:Indonesia looks to China to help boost slumping tourism in wake of Bali volcano eruptions: o
加泰罗尼亚新议会首次开会
床单应该多久洗一次?让科学家来告诉你
体坛英语资讯:Former NBA star Rodman arrested on suspicion of DUI in Southern California
吃鸡块还能当职业!吃货的福利来了
国际英语资讯:Tillerson to make his European tour amid rising rift over Iran nuclear deal
内蒙古太仆寺旗宝昌一中2017-2018学年高二上学期期末考试英语试卷
瑞士禁止生煮龙虾,这规定有点一言难尽
法国港口卡莱移民数量增加,马克龙要英国出钱
For the Goal 为了实现目标
医生警告:把喷嚏憋回去 可能引发身体损伤
国内英语资讯:China to hold governments, officials at provincial level accountable for farmland protection
乔治小王子被欺压?在家完全是妹妹说了算
美文赏析:读这5种书的人,境界才能高
津巴布韦反对派领导人在美国坠机身亡
国际英语资讯:May, Macron agree measures to deepen ties between Britain, France